A new study led by Brown University found that vitamin D does not confer benefits against mortality in postmenopausal women, contrary to previous beliefs. The study controlled for key health factors like abdominal obesity and found no association between high or low levels of vitamin D and reduced risk of death.
Scientists have pieced together the most comprehensive phylogeny for mollusks, revealing surprising relationships between enigmatic groups. The study places Monoplacophora, thought extinct, as a sister clade to cephalopods, and establishes a single origin for shelled mollusks.
A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that land-based vertebrates suffered massive extinctions, with approximately 78% of genera perishing. The survivors formed 'disaster taxa' that dominated their ecological niches, leading to boom-and-bust cycles and instability in ecosystems.
Researchers found a significant reduction in glioma risk among people with borderline elevated IgE levels. However, the protective effect couldn't be measured in people with higher IgE levels. The study suggests an immune response to allergies may affect brain tumors.
Researchers found that fault surfaces in earthquake zones come into contact only at microscopic points between scattered bumps called asperities. This creates intense heating, known as flash heating, which can reach temperatures of up to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
A new study identifies genetic signatures in Arabidopsis thaliana that govern fitness in different climates. The research reveals climate influences the suite of genes passed on to plants to optimize their survival and reproduction.
Researchers at Brown University created the highest-resolution picture of the bottom of the lithosphere in southern California, measuring the boundary between the lithosphere and asthenosphere. The study found dramatic changes in lithosphere thickness, revealing new insights into how rifting shaped the region.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a genetic biopsy technique to analyze the genes expressed by human eggs without harming them. By comparing the gene expression sequences in polar bodies and their host eggs, they found that more than 90% of detected genes were also present in the eggs.
A study by Brown University found that nursing home flu shot vaccination rates are lower for black patients compared to white patients. Despite efforts to improve vaccination rates over time, the disparity persists within individual facilities, with black patients refusing shots at a higher rate than whites.
Researchers used MESSENGER data to confirm past volcanic activity on Mercury, which poured out huge volumes of lava 3.5-4 billion years ago
A new study examines the impact of climate change on amphibian species, finding that rapid temperature swings can trap species at different points in their travels. The research suggests that many species will become endangered due to their inability to tolerate unfavorable climate conditions for extended periods.
A new study found that nearly 1 in 5 dementia patients experience burdensome transitions in the last 90 days of life, including repeated hospitalizations and relocations, which can be unnecessary and stressful for families.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that tendons absorb shocks and store energy, while muscles take on the role of absorbing remaining energy after impact. This finding highlights the critical role of tendons in shock absorption and has implications for the development of synthetic tendons and rehabilitative practices.
Researchers found that the medial prefrontal cortex recruits the subthalamic nucleus to ward off impulsive urges, allowing time for informed decisions. This understanding may lead to mitigating the side effect of DBS on decision-making and developing more sophisticated treatment systems.
A new study by Brown University toxicologists found that male mice exposed to high doses of BPA during pregnancy showed no signs of harm to their testes as adults. The researchers suggest that the mother's metabolism may detoxify much of the BPA, reducing exposure to the fetus.
A study by Brown University researchers found that people seeking a mate rarely express their political preferences, with women and lower-income individuals less likely to do so. However, once paired, spouses tend to share similar political views, suggesting a potential filter for compatible long-term relationships.
A study using genetic analysis found that technology spread more slowly in the Americas than Eurasia, with continental orientation playing a key role. The slow diffusion of crops and technologies in the Americas can be attributed to lower latitudinal gene flow between populations.
Researchers at Brown University found that carbon nanotubes enter cells tip-first and at a 90-degree angle, often causing repeated inflammation. The team's study suggests that understanding how nanomaterials interact with cells is crucial for designing products that help cells rather than harm them.
A small clinical trial suggests that cognitive bias modification (CBM) may be as effective as in-person therapy or drugs in treating social anxiety disorder. Participants showed significant improvements on a standardized measure of anxiety and public speaking task after completing two exercises twice a week for four weeks.
A new study at Brown University measures head blows during games and practices over three seasons, documenting that running backs and quarterbacks suffer the hardest hits to the head. Linemen, however, were hit on the head most often, with doctors warning about the potential for subconcussive neurological damage from repeated impacts.
A study by Brown University researchers found that college freshmen often struggle with sleep quality due to factors like roommates, dorm noise, and academic stress. However, a campuswide media campaign was able to help nearly 10% of students improve their sleep habits, leading to better grades, mood, and overall health.
New research from Brown University finds that nickel nanoparticles can activate a cellular pathway that contributes to cancer in human lung cells. The study shows that smaller nanoscale particles are more harmful and potentially cancer-causing than larger microscale particles.
The DYCAST program successfully predicted where 81.6% of human cases of the West Nile virus would arise in California in 2005. By using biological parameters, the model identified high-risk areas with a risk 39 times higher than low-risk areas, allowing for targeted mosquito control and reduced human illness.
Researchers found a small but significant association between early life family psychosocial environment and later coronary heart disease. For every extra point on the risky family score, CHD risk rose by 1 percent.
Research by Brown University's US2010 Project reveals that even high-earning black and Hispanic households live in poorer neighborhoods than their white counterparts. The study found significant neighborhood gaps in median income, education, home ownership, and housing vacancy rates among these groups.
A survey of 538 family members found that hospice care significantly improved the provision of care and support for nursing home patients with dementia and their families. Family members of hospice recipients reported lower levels of unmet needs, pain management concerns, and emotional support needs.
Research from Brown University economists finds that voters are more likely to support recommended candidates after newspaper endorsements, but credibility matters. Moderate voters are most influenced by endorsements. Key findings suggest voters filter out media bias when making informed decisions.
Researchers at Brown University discovered how bats can distinguish between target echoes and background clutter using subtle changes in sound intensity. By delaying their neural response to weaker echoes, bats can effectively 'defocus' clutter, maintaining a clear image of the target.
A new study suggests that adopting the World Health Organization's treatment initiation criteria for HIV-infected individuals would significantly reduce the country's HIV incidence, extend life-years, and ultimately save money. By starting ART earlier, South Africa could prevent more than 120,000 additional life-years by 2040.
A new study published in Addiction found that women in drug court with current major depression were more likely to use crack cocaine within four months. The study suggests that addressing depression could reduce the number of women who fail to beat crack addiction in drug court.
A new study by Brown University finds that minorities are gaining access to nursing home care, but often due to lack of alternative options. The research suggests a racial disparity in elder care, with whites more likely to use desirable alternatives.
A recent study reveals that dentists play a significant role in opioid drug abuse, with many not aware of the risks or proper prescribing guidelines. The research calls for dentists to take steps to reduce leftover painkillers, discuss medication use with patients, and utilize prescription monitoring programs to prevent misuse.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms that helical low-dose CT scans for lung cancer reduce deaths in heavy smokers by 20 percent. The research also highlights the need for further analysis on cost-effectiveness, downstream consequences, and screening strategies.
Researchers discovered a key difference in how fish and mammals chew their food. Fish primarily use their tongue muscles to transport food into the mouth, whereas mammals use them to position food for optimal chewing by teeth.
A team of researchers from Brown University has developed a new technique using gold nanoparticles to detect liver cancer at early stages. The approach uses X-ray scatter imaging to spot tumor-like masses as small as 5 millimeters, which is significantly smaller than the current detection limit of about 5 centimeters.
A study by Brown University researchers found that certain stressful life events cause panic symptoms to increase steadily over succeeding months, rather than acutely. This challenges the common assumption that stress triggers immediate panic attacks.
Research suggests that many hereditary conditions are linked to errors in pre-mRNA splicing, which can be addressed through new therapies. A computer analysis predicts that 22 percent of genetic mutations may affect splicing, implying hundreds of hereditary diseases could be linked to this issue.
Research by Brown University economists finds that daily polling data responds to returns from primary victories, with early voters having a disproportionate impact on candidate momentum. This can lead to candidates spending more resources in early states, potentially altering the nomination outcome.
A blood test for AMH can help predict IVF success, with women having higher AMH levels yielding more eggs and a higher rate of pregnancy. The study found that women with low AMH levels had an average of six eggs harvested, while those with higher levels had around 20.
Two new studies show that light exposure enhances the brain's ability to organize nerve endings from each eye, leading to improved sorting of visual signals. Researchers discovered that a specific type of light-sensitive cell plays a crucial role in this process.
Computer science researchers at Brown University have developed a new way to visualize the human brain's neural connections using 2D maps. These simplified representations can help medical professionals identify potential pathologies, such as autism, and understand how neural bundles differ among individuals.
Researchers at Brown University found a significant link between climate change and the Norse settlements' disappearance in Greenland. The Little Ice Age, which began in the 1400s, is believed to have played a major role in their demise.
A team of scientists from Brown University has detected an Earth-equivalent amount of water within the moon, rivaling the amount found in the Earth's upper mantle. The discovery was made through measurements of lunar melt inclusions and suggests that the Moon's formation theory may need to be reevaluated.
A team of researchers at Brown University and India Institute of Technology Kanpur created a scaffold-looking structure consisting of carbon nanofibers that regenerated natural heart tissue cells and neurons. The approach, if successful, would help millions of people suffering from heart attacks.
A new study found that exercise improves mood and reduces cigarette cravings in women smokers, but the effects are short-lived lasting several hours to days. Researchers plan to conduct larger trials to determine how frequently exercise must be done to sustain its anti-craving benefits.
A new study published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases found that high levels of saturated fat in dairy products do not increase the risk of heart attack. Instead, other nutrients in dairy products, such as calcium and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), may have protective effects against heart disease.
A team of scientists found that reptiles and mammals lived in separate areas due to differences in water availability, with reptiles thriving in drier temperate zones and mammals in water-rich tropical regions. This study helps predict the impact of climate change on mammal species distribution.
A new survey finds that discussions surrounding feeding tube insertion are often inadequate, with 13.7% of family members stating medical providers inserted the tube without discussion first. Despite research questioning the value of feeding tubes, 32.9% of people in the survey reported improved quality of life for their loved ones.
Researchers at Brown University have found that the Notch signaling pathway regulates sleep in nematode worms, and similar genes are expressed in human brains. The study suggests that targeting this pathway could lead to more precise and safer sleep aids.
Researchers at Brown University study thylacine bones and find they were solitary, ambush-style predators, unlike dogs that hunt in packs. Their unique arm structure allowed for subduing prey after surprise attacks, differing from other large canid species.